LSG vs MI Playing XI, Toss Update and Match Preview

LSG vs MI Playing XI, Toss Update and Match Preview

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LSG vs MI Playing XI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season witnessed a high-stakes clash between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. With both teams languishing in the lower half of the points table (MI at sixth and LSG at seventh), the match carried significant weight for their playoff aspirations. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the toss, team compositions, and key updates from this crucial encounter.

Toss Update: Mumbai Opt to Bowl First; Rohit Sharma Ruled Out

Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing dew as a potential factor in the second innings. The decision aligned with the prevailing trend in IPL 2025, where teams prefer chasing under lights. However, the bigger news was the absence of MI’s veteran opener, Rohit Sharma, who sustained a knee injury during practice. Hardik confirmed, “Rohit was hit on the knee. He is missing out” . Youngster Raj Bawa replaced him in the XI, marking his debut for MI.

For LSG, captain Rishabh Pant expressed confidence in his batting unit despite their recent struggles. The team retained its core players, including the in-form Nicholas Pooran, but faced scrutiny over Pant’s own poor returns (17 runs in three matches) .

Playing XI: Team Compositions and Impact Subs

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):

  1. Mitchell Marsh
  2. Aiden Markram
  3. Nicholas Pooran
  4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk)
  5. Ayush Badoni
  6. David Miller
  7. Abdul Samad
  8. Shardul Thakur
  9. Avesh Khan
  10. Ravi Bishnoi
  11. Digvesh Singh Rathi
    Impact Subs: Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth

Mumbai Indians (MI):

  1. Ryan Rickelton (wk)
  2. Will Jacks
  3. Suryakumar Yadav
  4. Tilak Varma
  5. Hardik Pandya (c)
  6. Naman Dhir
  7. Mitchell Santner
  8. Deepak Chahar
  9. Trent Boult
  10. Ashwani Kumar
  11. Vignesh Puthur
    Impact Sub: Raj Bawa

Key Observations:

  • LSG’s Bowling Woes: Despite retaining star spinner Ravi Bishnoi (₹11 crore), LSG’s bowling has been inconsistent. Pacers Avesh Khan and Shardul Thakur (6 wickets in 3 matches) need to step up .
  • MI’s Spin-heavy Attack: MI banked on left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and debutant Vignesh Puthur, leveraging the Ekana pitch’s reputation for aiding spin .
  • Rohit’s Absence: Rohit’s exclusion raised eyebrows, as he had been used as an Impact Player in previous games. His replacement, Raj Bawa, adds depth to MI’s pace unit .

Pitch Report and Conditions

The Ekana Stadium shifted to a black-soil pitch for this match, a stark contrast to the red-soil surface used in LSG’s previous home game. The black soil is expected to offer slower bounce and greater turn for spinners, with an average first-innings score of 181 . Daren Ganga’s pitch analysis highlighted “lower bounce and grip for spinners,” making adaptability crucial for batters .

Head-to-Head and Form Guide

  • LSG Dominance: LSG hold a commanding 5-1 head-to-head record against MI, including two wins at Ekana .
  • Recent Form: Both teams entered the match with identical records (1 win, 2 losses). LSG’s batting relies heavily on Nicholas Pooran (Orange Cap holder with 189 runs), while MI’s Suryakumar Yadav showed signs of resurgence with a 9-ball 27 against KKR .

Key Players to Watch

  1. Nicholas Pooran (LSG): The West Indian has been LSG’s backbone, averaging 63 this season. His ability to counter spin will be critical on a sluggish track .
  2. Suryakumar Yadav (MI): After a slow start, SKY’s explosive 47* against KKR signaled his return to form. His middle-order prowess could anchor MI’s chase .
  3. Ashwani Kumar (MI): The debutant seamer stunned KKR with a four-wicket haul. His performance under pressure will be pivotal in Bumrah’s absence .
  4. Rishabh Pant (LSG): The ₹27 crore captain faces immense scrutiny. A shift up the order might help him regain rhythm against pace, where he averages 43.4 since IPL 2024 .

Injury Updates and Team News

  • MI: Jasprit Bumrah remains sidelined with a back injury but is nearing a return. Rohit Sharma’s knee issue is being monitored, with his availability for upcoming matches uncertain .
  • LSG: Pacers Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep are recovering from injuries. Akash Deep, recently declared fit, could feature in upcoming games .

Match Implications

A win would propel either team into the top half of the table, while a loss could deepen their crisis. For LSG, improving their home record (7 wins, 7 losses) is imperative, whereas MI aim to break their away-game jinx .

Conclusion

With Mumbai opting to bowl and LSG’s batting reliant on Pooran, this match promises a tactical battle between spin and power-hitting. The spotlight remains on under-fire captains Pant and Hardik, both seeking redemption. As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, this clash could be a turning point for either franchise.

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